COACHING AND CONCUSSIONS: PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND PERSPECTIVE

The large participation of players and coaches in football has made it one of the most popular sports in America. Concussions have specifically gained national attention in football due to frequent, high impact collisions. A concussion injury poses a unique threat in high school football because of the developing adolescent brain and high participation numbers. Additionally, lack of medical personnel to diagnose concussions at the high school level imposes a legal duty on the coaches. The thesis develops a recommended plan of action for directors of Iowa high school football to assist in preserving the future of the sport. A survey of Iowa high school football coaches in 2014 served as the foundation for the recommendation. An analysis of the physiology of concussions and prevention methods are also discussed, because regardless of one’s love for a sport, no victory is worth a young athlete’s life